RANK #658 / 1001 NAT · #43 / 49 OH · POP 65,473
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Belmont County, Ohio, named for its "beautiful mountains" in French, is situated in the Appalachian foothills along the Ohio River, bordering West Virginia. The county seat, St. Clairsville, is a charming town, while Martins Ferry stands as the largest city. Interstate 70 runs through the county, offering connections to larger cities, though the average commute time for residents is around 25 minutes. The area is characterized by rolling hills, picturesque farmland, and mature woodlands, providing a backdrop for outdoor recreation. Dysart Woods, a 50-acre tract, features 400-year-old oak trees and is the largest remaining old-growth forest in southeastern Ohio. Barkcamp State Park offers camping, boating, fishing, and hiking around Belmont Lake.
Life in Belmont County often reflects a close-knit, small-town community feel, with many residents owning their homes. The economy is driven by manufacturing, healthcare, and a notable presence in the oil and gas sector, creating diverse job opportunities. Recent economic developments include expansions at an industrial park and new business growth in towns like Bellaire. Educational institutions include Ohio University's Eastern Campus and Belmont College. The county also boasts a lower violent crime and property crime rate compared to the state average, contributing to the overall quality of life.
Belmont County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.4% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 34/100, Belmont County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $57,017 combined with job growth of -0.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Belmont County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $154,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $793/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Belmont County is losing population (-0.8% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-0.5% employment change). Home values are +3.4% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.16% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Belmont County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.